Protective padding structures



G. E. MORGAN PROTECTIVE PADDING STRUCTURES May 3, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed May 28, 1963 INVENTOR.

F 5 GERARD E.. MORGAN G. BY

haw-We.

PROTECTIVE PADDI NG STRUCTURES Filed May 28, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 dE! D O .0 I 0 p m INVENTOR.

Fl, 11 Gerard EMmya/z,

United States Patent Ofiice 3,248,738 PROTECTIVE PADDING STRUCTURESGerard E. Morgan, Glenview, IIL, assignor to John T. Riddell, Inc.,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 28, 19 53, Ser. No.283,937 9 Claims. (Cl. 22)

This invention relates to protective padding structures and it is inparticular related to novel padding constructions which provideeffective protection against blows, even when used in relatively thinsections.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No.164,368, filed January4, 1962, and entitled Protective Padding (nowabandoned).

There are many well-known applications for protective padding. Thus,automobile dashboards and other 10- cations in vehicles are padded toavoid injury if an individual is thrown against such locations.Stationary objects such as gymnasium walls or floors and goalposts arealso often padded since persons running into these objects wouldotherwise be severely injured.

Players in contact sports such as football and hockey traditionally wearpadding to offset the detrimental effect of blows received. Shoulders,hips, ribs and thighs are protected, and padding is also customarilyincluded in headgear.

When conventional padding materials are employed, the amount ofprotection is proportional to the thickness of the padding. Thus, iffoam rubber or other resilient material can be employed in extremelythick sections, virtually all injury occasioned by direct impact can beavoided. This is, however, impractical in most applications, since thepermissible padding thickness is usually limited by space considerationsor the necessity of preserving freedom of movement.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved paddingconstruction which provides eifective protection against blows even whenused in relatively thin sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel pad design inwhich the decelerating action of resilient materials is effectivelysupplemented and enhanced by the pneumatic action of air'escaping fromthe pad under controlled conditions.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and,for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodimentsof this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective cross-section of one exampe of a paddingconstruction incorporating the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective cross-section of a modified version of theprotective padding structure:

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view in cross-section illustrating anadditional modification in the padding structure;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view in cross-section illustrating a stillfurther modified structure;

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic elevational view, partly in section,illustrating a helmet construction which incorporates the protectivepadding of this invention;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view, partly cut away, of an alternative protectivepadding structure;

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view taken about the line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of a different shape ofa padding structure;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of a still furtheralternative shape;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of an additionalalternative shape; and,

FIGURE 11 is a plan view, partly cut away, of a still furtheralternative shape.

3,248,738 Patented May 3, 1966 The protective padding structures of thisinvention are all characterized by interior portions which are formed ofporous resilient material. These interior portions are all at leastpartially surrounded by a resilient, essentially air-impervious barrier.Remaining portions of the porous interior may be surrounded by morerigid barriers but in any case, communication with the outsideatmosphere is achieved by means of small-diameter port means whichrelieve the essentially air-impervious barriers. The port means whichcharacterize the structures of this invention are so dimensioned as tomomentarily retain pressure within the padding structure when a blow isdirected to the structure. The resilient portions of the structure mayall be compressed, or the interior portions may be compressed while theresilient air-impervious barrier portions may stretch in response to thebuild-up of pressure in the interior. The pressurized air is maintainedin the porous interior portions momentarily and, thereafter, the air isgradually released in the period immediately following the initialimpact of the blow. The combination of factors described effectivelyminimizes any detrimental effects which the blows might otherwiseoccasion.

A padding construction of this invention is used in conjunction withrelatively rigid surfacesdisposed on the opposite sides of the porousinterior. Hence a blow directed to the padding is transmitted to theporous interior through one of the rigid surfaces, resulting incompression of the porous interior 'between the opposed rigid surfaces.

The rigid surfaces above described can be directly integrated into thepadding and air-impervious, resilient material can be provided on thesides of the pad to enclose the otherwise exposed sides of the porousinterior. The port or ports which form an important feature of theinvention are placed in these resilient side walls or in other positionswhich insure that the ports will be free of hindrance for properexhaustion of air.

In some instances, the padding to be employed will be disposed upon arigid surface, and in such cases one of the rigid members abovedescribed can be eliminated. its function being taken over by the rigidsurface on which the padding structure is disposed.

Integrated rigid members can be completely eliminated from the paddingconstruction in applications where the pad is to be used between a pairof relatively rigid objects. For example, if the padding is to beemployed within a helmet, the skull of the wearer serves as one rigidmember and the rigid shell of the helmet serves as the other.Impervious, resilient material having one or more ports therein willcompletely surround the porous material in pads designed for suchapplications. It will be apparent that a blow directed to the helmet sopadded will result in compression of the porous interior between tworigid members, namely, the helmet shell and the skull of the wearer.

Certain embodiments of this invention can be more readily understoodwhen considering the specific constructions illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. FIG- URE 1 depicts a padding construction 10having an interior porous portion 12 disposed between a pair ofrelatively rigid impervious plates 14. A resilient layer 16 formed of animpervious closed cell material is provided to surround the sides of theporous interior. Ports 18 extend laterally from the porous interior tothe outside of the padding structure. A layer 20 of reilient materialcan be provided as a covering for the plates 14 and a thin skin 22, suchas a vinyl dip coating, may be included.

The pad shown in FIGURE 1 is provided with rounded corners and istapered. It will be apparent that various contours can be employed inorder to fit the pads of this invention for various applications, and itis contemplated that the modified structures to be described be employedin various configurations.

The pad 24 illustrated in FIGURE 2 is of rectangular shape but iscomposed of essentially the same elements as the pad of FIGURE 1. Thus,the pad 24 includes a porous interior portion located between relativelyrigid plates 28. A resilient, non-porous layer 30, having ports 32formed therein, completes the enclosure of the porous interior. As inthe design of FIGURE 1, a resilient layer 34 and flexible skin 36 can beprovided.

The modification shown in FIGURE 3 includes a pad 38 mounted on a rigidsurface 40, which may be the shell of a helmet. The pad includes aporous interior portion 42 located adjacent the surface 40. Animpervious layer 44 of resilient material is provided with ports 46 forcommunication with' the porous interior. It will be noted that no rigidplate is interposed between the interior 42 and the surface 40, sincethat surface functions as a rigid backing and cooperates in achievingthe improvements of this invention.

FIGURE 3 also illustrates the provision of a plurality of porousinterior portions 42. These interior portions are disposed between rigidplates 48 and are enclosed by a non-porous layer 44. Ports 46communicate with each of the interior portions 42, and the structureillustrated, therefore, is essentially a plurality of interconnectedstructures each of which has the characteristics of the previouslydescribed individual structures.

Where a combination of the padding structures is provided, asillustrated in FIGURE 3, the structures cooperate to provide improvedperformance. Each of the plates 48 functions with respect to theadjacent porous material whereby this material is compressed when a blowis delivered t the padding structure. Similarly, each of the porousinterior portions has associated therewith ports 46 and an imperviouslayer 44 which cooperate to initially retard passage of pressurized airand which then gradually permit escape of the air. As in the previousconstructions, separate layers 50 of resilient material may, if desired,be provided to overlay the plates 48.

The arrangement shown in FIGURE 4 provides padding structures 52 locatedon the rigid surface 54. Each of the structures 52 includes a porousinterior portion 56 disposed immediately adjacent the rigid surface. Asurrounding layer 523 of impervious, resilient material is provided withports 60. A skin 62 may also be provided as in the other embodimentsalready described.

The design of the padding structure shown in FIGURE 4 is particularlysuitable for the protection of an essentially rigid portion of the humanbody, as opposed to a fleshy portion. It will be noted that the rigidsurface 54 provides a barrier on one side of the structures 52, and thebody portion 64 to be protected will function as the rigid barrierneeded for full achievement of the inventions objects.

In connection with the design shown in FIGURE 4, it will be understoodthat a rigid member can be integrated with the padding structure evenwhere the padding is to be employed adjacent the skull or other hardportion of the body. The structure of FIGURE 4 is intended to illustratethe fact that such an integrated rigid member may be dispensed with inthis specific circumstance.

The arrangement shown in FIGURE 4 is also intended to illustrate thatgreat variations in size of the pads, location of the pads and thecontour of the structures are possible. In instances where pads ofdifferent thicknesses are employed, varible pressures are provided.Thus, the thicker pad will compress more readily than the thinner padand will give soft interpretation of the blow before the thinner pad iscompressed. The adjacent thinner pad will then provide additionalresistance when reacting to the applied forces. It will also beappreciated that for various applications the padding arrangement mustbe modified in order to conform to the body contour of other particularlimitations of the objects with which they are associated.

FIGURE 5 provides a diagrammatic showing of an application of thepadding structures of this invention to a football helmet. The helmet66, of the type used by football players or others subject to blowsabout the head, is provided with a plurality of pads 68 disposed withinthe helmet in a manner such that the head of the wearer will be incontact only with the pads and will be out of contact with the rigidshell 79 of the helmet.

The individual pad 63 shown in section includes a porous resilientinterior 72 located immediately adjacent the rigid shell 70. Aninterposed rigid member "/4, a second porous portion 76 and a non-porousouter layer 78 provided with ports 8'0 complete the padding structure.Since the helmet will be worn on the head, there is no need for a rigidmember intermediate the head and the porous interior portion 76. Theplate member 74 is included in order to provide for compression of theporous interior 72 whereby a cooperative arrangement of the typereferred to in the discussion of FIGURE 3 results. Similarly, the padconstruction of FIGURES 1 and 2 may be employed in ahelmet of the sortshown in FIG- URE 5, since inclusion of the integrated rigid members isnot detrimental even of the pads are located on a rigid surface for theprotection of hard parts of the body.

FIGURES 6 through 11 illustrate an alternative form of this inventionwhich generally comprises a padding structure having two or moreinterior chambers. Each of these chambers is filled with porousresilient material, and air-impervious resilient material is providedfor at least partially enclosing these chambers. Additionalairimpervious material enclosing the interior chambers may compriserelatively rigid members; however, in any case, communication with theoutside atmosphere is provided by means of small-diameter port meansdefined in the air-impervious outer layers. In addition, thisconstruction provides air-impervious interior walls which act tosubdivide the structure into the interior chambers. These walls are alsorelieved by small-diameter port means whereby air can be momentarilyretained in each of the individual chambers and then gradually releasedin response to an impact. The relief of pressure from within anyindividual chamber may be accomplished through passage of air intoadjacent chambers and, ultimately, through passage of air to the outsideatmosphere. In any case, each of the interior chambers will communicatewith the outside atmosphere either directly or through adjacentchambers.

In the drawings, each of the padding structures illusstrated includesouter side walls formed of an airimpervious resilient material. Upperand lower walls 102 and 104 are also formed of resilient material in theillustrated embodiment, and the combination of these walls definesinterior portions 106. Interior Walls 108 extend within the interiorportion between opposing side walls whereby a plurality of separatechambers '110 are provided within each of the padding structures.

Small-diameter port means 112 are formed in the side walls 100 wherebythe interior of the padding structures will communicate with the outsideatmosphere. The interior walls 108 are relieved by small-diameter portmeans 114 whereby the respective chambers within the structure willintercommunicate. Porous resilient material 116 fills each of theinterior chambers 110 whereby the structural form of the padding will bemaintained without impeding the fiow of air during operation of theconstruction.

The padding structures illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 11 will operatein a manner similar to the structures above described. Thus, when thestructures are disposed between two relatively rigid surfaces and when ablow is delivered to one of these surfaces, the interior chambers willbe reduced in size whereby the air therein will be pressurized. Sincethe port means 112 and 114 are small, they will gradually release thepressurized air. If a given chamber does not communicate directly withthe outside atmosphere, the air will be released to an adjacent chamberwhile chambers communicating with a port 112 will pass air to theatmosphere.

The structures illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 11 are particularlyadvantageous since they can be designed in virtually any form toaccommodate the shape of the structure with which they are to beassociated. The designs illustrated in FIGURES 6, 10 and 11 canadvantageously be employed in hip pads wherein various differentcontours are required. The design illustrated in FIGURE 8 canadvantageously be employed in shoulder pads, for example as illustratedin copending application Serial No. 255,495, filed February 1, 1963, nowPatent No. 3,158,871 and entitled Shoulder Pad Construction. Asillustrated in this patent, a particular section of this shoulder padmay be provided with several of the structures of this invention havingvarious shapes and sizes particularly suitable for protection of thebone or muscle structure over which this section of the pad will befitted. In considering the designs shown in FIGURES 6 through 11, itwill be appreciated that many other size variations can be provided.Furthermore, one or more rigid members can be formed integrally with thepadding structures as suggested in the preceding description.

When a blow is delivered to any pad embodying this invention, theinterior portion or portions are compressed between two rigid bodies andair within the porous interior is immediately placed under pressure. Thenonporous, resilient layer, which forms part of the enclosure for theporous interior, will expand as the pressure within the pad isincreased, and the port or ports provided are small enough to preventimmediate release of the pressurized air. The dotted lines in FIGURE 3illustrate the manner in which the non-porous layer 44 will expand whena blow is delivered to the pad structure.

The improved results of this invention are achieved by this combinationof factors and due to the gradual release of air through the ports inthe interval immediately following the striking of the pad. Thisinterval of time may be only a fraction of a second, but it has beenfound that the build-up of air under pressure within the pad, even forsuch a short time, is highly beneficial in absorbing energy and therebyreducing the detrimental effects of blows and collisions.

As the pressure decreases with the release of air following a blow, theresilient materials take over to further decelerate the strikingobjectand, by compression, to absorb energy from it. When the blow isended and the striking object has moved away from the pad, the resilientmaterials will return to their original shape and air will be suckedback into the structure through the ports.

The rigid members associated with the padding structure serve todistribute the force of a 'blow or collision over the whole area of thepad, so that the full effect is not concentrated at a single point. Thiseifect is particularly valuable.when a pad receives a sharp blow from arelatively small object.

One contemplated alternative form of this invention includes a pluralityof independent structures disposed within a resilient matrix, the latterbeing laid out on a rigid surface such as inside of a helmet. Theindependent or each of the structures could be provided with a singleplate.

Tests have made it clear that where the various described pad structureshave been employed, the detrimental etfects of blows or collisions canbe greatly reduced or eliminated. For a given thickness of conventionalpadding, the paddingof this invention can be employed in the samethickness with far more satisfactory results.

Various well-known materials can be employed for the padding of thisinvention. A closed cell plastice foam known as Ensolite, manufacturedby the US. Rubber Company, is suitable for the outer impervious,resilient layer. For the porous interior, various well known open cellmaterials of low density can be employed, such as plastic foam, naturalsponge, synthetic vinyl sponge, or rubber sponge.

The rigid plate members integrated with the padding structure can beformed of high modulus linear polyethylene or fiberglass. A low densitymaterial is preferred, when the padding is to be worn by human beings,

in order that the weight of the padding may be kept down.

As a specific example of a suitable pad, use has been made of 3" x 5"rectangular pads. The pads were manufactured to a one inch thicknesswith a one-quarter inch non-porous, flexible layer of Ensolite enclosingthe sides. A porous interior of plastic foam was provided with sixdiameter ports on each of the four sides of the pad structure and thetop and bottom of the interior were covered with polyethylene plates.The

pads were provided with a thin vinyl dip outer coating for moistureprotection and sanitary purposes. In other designs tested, whichexcluded integral plates, it has been found that the ports have alsobeen suitable.

It will be understood that in referring to diameter in the above noteddescription and in the appended claims, a circular opening is notnecessarily intended. Thus, openings of different cross sections can beemployed and reference to a diameter is intended to include all openingshaving cross-sectional areas corresponding to the cross-sectional areaof a circular opening having the specified diameter.

The combination of structures described are adapted for use in anyapplication where padding is of importance, including use by individualsas a padding for any part of the body and as protective padding forobjects with which individuals may collide.

It will be understood that various modifications can be. made in theabove described padding structure which provide the characteristics ofthis invention without departing from the spirit thereof, particularlyas defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. A protective padding structure interposed between the surfaces of apair of rigid members, said structure comprising an interior portionformed of a porous, resilient material, an essentially air-imperviouslayer of resilient material surrounding said interior portion, saidimpervious layer being relieved by small diameter port means operativeto provide communication between said interior portion and the spaceexternally of said impervious layer, said port means being suflicientlysmall to momentarily retain pressurized air within said structure when ablow delivered to one of said rigid members compresses said interiorportion and being adapted to thereafter gradually release saidpressurized air.

2.v A padding structure according to claim 1 wherein the opposed facesof said interior portion are disposed immediately adjacent said surfacesof said rigid members and wherein said resilient layer encloses at leastthe remaining portions of said interior portion.

3. A protective padding structure comprising a pair of substantiallyrigid plates, a porous interior portion of resilient material interposedbetween said plates, an essentially air-impervious layer of resilientmaterial completing an enclosure for said interior potrion, saidimpervious layer being relieved by a plurality of small port meansoperative to provide communication between said interior portion and thespace externally of said impervious layer, said port means beingsufliciently small to momentarily retain pressurized air within saidstructure when a blow to said structure compresses said interior portionand being adapted to thereafter gradually release said pressurized air.

4. A padding structure according to claim 3 wherein said plates areformed of an air-impervious material.

5. A padding structure according to claim 3 including a plurality ofsaid interior portions and at least one adidtional substantially rigidplate, said interior portions and said additional plate being sandwichedbetween said first mentioned plates, said port means being so disposedin said impervious layer whereby all of said interior portions arevented to said space.

6. A protective padding structure comprising a first interior portionformed of a porous resilient material, a second porous interior portion,a substantially rigid member interposed between said first and secondinterior portions, an essentially air-impervious layer includingresilient material surrounding said interior portions, said imperviouslayer being relieved by at leasttwo smalldiameter port means operativeto provide communication between each of said interior portions and thespace externally of said impervious layer, said port means beingsufficiently small to retain pressurized air momentarily Within saidstructure when a blow to said structure compresses 7 said interiorportion and simultaneously stretches the airimprevious layer, and beingoperative thereafter to gradually release said pressurized air.

7. A protective padding structure adapted to have one face disposedadjacent an essentially air-impervious relatively rigid member, saidstructure comprising an outer wall formed of an essentiallyair-impervious resilient material, at least one interior wall extendingbetween opposing portions of said outer wall and thereby subdividing theinterior of said structure into at least two chambers, porous resilientmaterial substantially filling each of said chambers, at least onesmall-diameter port means defined in said outer wall communicating theinterior of said structure with the space externally of said outer wall,and at least one small-diameter port means defined in said interior wallcommunicating said chambers, said port means being sufficiently small toretain pressurized air momentarily within said chambers when a blow tosaid structure compresses said porous resilient material andsimultaneously stretches said air-impervious resilient material, andbeing operative thereafter to gradually release said pressurized air,said one face of the structure being secured to the surface of saidrelatively rigid member, and wherein a relatively rigid plate member issecured over the opposite face of said structure whereby said structureis adapted to be disposed over a relatively soft body portion of anindividual wearing said padding.

8. A protective padding structure wherein one face thereof is designedto be used adjacent the surface of a rigid member, said structurecomprising a substantially rigid plate, a porous interior portion ofresilient material positioned to be interposed between said surface andsaid plate, at least one additional porous interior portion and at leastone additional plate, said additional interior portion being sandwichedbetween said first mentioned plate and said additional plate, anessentially airimpervious layer of resilient material completing anenclosure for both of said interior portions, said impervious layerbeing relieved by a plurality of small ports providing communicationbetween said interior portions and the space externally of saidimpervious layer, said ports being sufficiently small to momentarilyretain pressurized air within said structure when a blow to saidstructure compresses said interior portion and being adapted tothereafter gradually release said pressurized air.

9. A protective padding structure interposed between the surfaces of apair of rigid members, said structure comprising an interior portionformed of a porous, resilient material, an essentially air-imperviouslayer of resilient material surrounding said interior portion, saidimpervious layer including an outer side wall and top and bottoms walls,at least one interior wall of airirnpervious material, said interiorwall being disposed perpendicular to said top and bottom walls andextending between opposing side walls to thereby subdivide the interiorof said structure into at least two chambers, said impervious layerbeing relieved by small diameter port means operative to providecommunication between said interior portion and the space externally ofsaid impervious layer, and said interior wall defining a small diameterport means to provide communication between said chambers, said portmeans being sufiiciently small to momentarily retain pressurized airwithin said structure when a blow delivered to one of said rigid memberscompresses said interior portion and being adapted to thereaftergradually release said pressurized air.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,324,234 12/1919Daigre 22.5 1,456,183 5/1923 Knight 2-3 1,873,212 8/1932 Ostrofit 29 X2,072,570 3/1937 Smith 29 X 2,664,567 1/1954 Nichols 23 2,759,186 8/1956Dye 2--3 2,821,244 1/1958 Beck 29 X 3,044,075 7/1962 Rawlings 2-223,058,124 10/ 1962 Sturtevant 29 X 0 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner.

1. A PROTECTIVE PADDING STRUCTURE INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE SURFACES OF APAIR OF RIGID MEMBERS, SAID STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN INTERIOR PORTIONFORMED OF A POROUS, RESILIENT MATERIAL, AN ESSENTIALLY AIR-IMPERVIOUSLAYER OF RESILIENT MATERIAL SURROUNDING SAID INTERIOR PORTION, SAIDIMPERVIOUS LAYER BEING RELIEVED BY SMALL DIAMETER PORT MEANS OPERATIVETO PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONG BETWEEN SAID INTERIOR PORTION AND THE SPACEEXTERNALLY OF SAID IMPERVIOUS LAYER, SAID PORT MEANS BEING SUFFICIENTLYSMALL TO MOMENTARILY RETAIN PRESSURIZED AIR WITHIN SAID STRUCTURE WHEN ABLOW DELIVERED TO ONE OF SAID RIGID MEMBERS COMPRESSES SAID INTERIORPORTION AND BEING ADAPTED TO THEREAFTER GRADUALLY RELEASE SAIDPRESSURIZED AIR.